A Big Win

The St. Louis Cardinals celebrate after defeating the Texas Rangers 6-2 to win the World Series at Busch Stadium, in St. Louis, Missouri, on Friday.

The St. Louis Cardinals beat the Texas Rangers in Game 7 of the World Series on Friday at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. The score was 6 to 2.

Many considered the Cardinals to be unlikely champs. The team made it into the playoffs with the fewest wins of any playoff team. They were one strike away from losing the World Series in Game 6 on Thursday night. But the team rallied to beat the Rangers 10 to 9, thanks to third baseman David Freese’s homerun in the 11th inning. That forced the Series to the first Game 7 since 2002.

EZRA SHAW—GETTY IMAGES

The St. Louis Cardinals pose with the World Series trophy at a victory rally at Busch Stadium, in St. Louis, Missouri, on Sunday.

It was a bitter loss for the Rangers, who also lost last year’s Series to the San Francisco Giants.

Time to Celebrate

Thousands of fans wearing red jammed downtown St. Louis to honor the new World Series champs on Sunday. High school marching bands played along the victory parade route. Fans cheered and waved at the red-and-white pick up trucks carrying Cardinals players, including World Series MVP David Freese.

Some fans were still amazed at the team’s turnaround. "It just seemed improbable," said Chris Ambrose, 24, of Chesterfield, as he watched the parade. "It's one of the greatest World Series runs of all time."

The parade ended inside Busch Stadium, where a sold-out crowd watched the celebration. Inside the ballpark, Cardinals manager La Russa thanked his team for refusing to quit, even when they faced teams with superior records throughout the season.

What these guys did so many times facing elimination, it’s a lesson for all of us,” La Russa said. “They never quit.”